Rory returned to Spotland on loan from Sheffield Wednesday in November 2006, having had a lengthy loan spell with Dale during the previous season. The Northern Ireland under-21 international defender had made just two substitute appearances for the Owls, but he did feature 20 times for Dale in 2005/06, scoring his only goal in a 3-1 win at Macclesfield.

Having impressed upon his return to Spotland the club paid an undisclosed fee to Wednesday and secured McArdle on a contract until the summer of 2009 in the process.

Now very much a fixture in the side Rory, was a lynchpin in the defence alongside Nathan Stanton as Dale made a first ever visit to the end of season Play Off Final at Wembley in May 2008 with Rory scoring the opening goal in a 3-2 defeat against Stockport County.

Despite only recently passing his 21st birthday Rory achieved the milestone of 100 appearances for the club early in the 2008/9 and continues to the attract the attention of clubs from a higher level with his excellent displays. Again, Rory was a key figure, alongside Nathan Stanton, in the Dale side that reached the League Two Play-Off finals.